How to prune quince 'smyrna'

Late winter to early spring while dormant. Maintain an open-center form. Each year remove 20–25% of the oldest, least productive wood and any crossing or inward-facing branches. Shorten the previous season's longer shoots by up to one-third to stimulate fruiting laterals near the tips. Always use clean, sharp tools — quince wounds can harbor fireblight.

Annually. Quince 'Smyrna' (a Turkish heritage variety prized for fragrance and size) is a vigorous grower that needs consistent annual pruning to prevent overcrowding and maintain yield. Like all quince, it fruits on tips of shoots from the previous year's growth, so a balance of thinning old wood and retaining new is key.

Maintain an open-center form. Each year remove 20–25% of the oldest, least productive wood and any crossing or inward-facing branches. Shorten the previous season's longer shoots by up to one-third to stimulate fruiting laterals near the tips. Always use clean, sharp tools — quince wounds can harbor fireblight.